The Ballestero Blog

Goodbye John!

Just the title seems inappropriate this close to Valentine’s Day.

Most of us are familiar with the term “Dear John letter,” by the time we have reached the season of courtship in our lives. For the recipient, it may mean devastation. For the sender it may feel like liberation.

Saying goodbye is easier for some than others. More often than not, I have seen tears in the eyes of family and dear friends even when we just said a temporary ‘goodbye.’

Imagine then what a permanent goodbye is like! Imagine what it would be like to put someone’s memory out of your mind while they yet live!

It Happened In The Gospel Of John.

John 1:35    Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

John 1:36    And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

John 1:37    And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

Every devout Jew knew the meaning of offering a yearly sacrifice for the atoning of his or her sins. It was a major relief for them to feel the guilt and condemnation removed. Yet, they knew they would have to do it all over again next year.

These tender-hearted men stood on a river bank that day and listened to a rugged looking and unorthodox preacher. He never played favorites or minced words. His preaching didn’t beat around the bush nor was it sugar-coated. Yet, multitudes came to hear him.

Today, in the middle of his sermon, John the Baptist saw his cousin Jesus passing by the crowd. John stopped preaching and pointed at Jesus. The crowd turned and looked. Every ounce of John’s voice reverberated with Divine revelation and authority.

“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” he said.

Immediately, Two Of John’s Disciples Turned And Followed Jesus.

• They never came up to John and explained why they were leaving.
• They never waved goodbye to John.
• They didn’t, ask for John’s email address.
• They didn’t ask for his business card.
• They didn’t ask for his cell phone number in case things didn’t work out between them and Jesus.
• They didn’t try to ‘Friend’ John the Baptist on Facebook to stay in touch.
• They didn’t follow him on Twitter.
• They didn’t tell him they would test him later.
• They simply turned, without a word or a regret, and followed Jesus.
• This is a beautiful type of how we should  follow Jesus.

Of men born of women there was none greater than John the Baptist. No one in his or her right mind would trash the ministry of John. After all, he was the one that brought them all to a place where he could introduce Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah.

I don’t feel the need to trash whatever denomination or experience has brought you to this point in your life either.

When You Are Introduced To Him Through The…

• Cleansing of his blood in baptism in Jesus name,
• And the in filling of His Spirit… evidenced by speaking in tongues…

Then Saying ‘Goodbye John’ Should Seem So Easy!

It Should Seem Easy To Say Goodbye To Your Past:

• When you meet the one who transforms your life,
• Delivers you from addiction,
• Forgives your past,
• Washes you clean in the Pentecostal experience of Acts 2:38, and
• Gives you the hope of heaven…
• Why would you want to go back to John?

I am always amazed how some wannabe ‘Disciples’ keep trying hanging on to their old life. For your eternity’s sake, let it go. Say goodbye to everything that’s not of Jesus.

Thank God for whatever brought you to this point in your life. But, John MUST decrease so that HE can increase in your life.

Your walk with Jesus will never be what it is meant to be if you keep running back and forth between the two crowds.

I’m Asking You With All Sincerity.

Have you said, “Goodbye John,” yet or are you still in love with the old life you had before you met Jesus?

I Will Never Regret The Day I Said My Goodbyes, And Neither Will You!